ANKARA

Cambodia and Thailand have discussed beginning the first phase of removing heavy and destructive weapons from their shared border areas, a significant step toward reducing military tensions between the two Southeast Asian countries.

Senior military officials met on Friday in Oddar Meanchey province, in the presence of an observer team stationed in Cambodia and Thailand, to monitor, verify, and ensure the full and effective implementation of the ceasefire. said in a joint statement issued by Cambodia's Defense Ministry.

"The meeting aimed to discuss and prepare a concrete plan for the gradual and phased removal of heavy weapons from both sides, under the observation and verification of the AOT (ASEAN Observer Teams), with the joint objective of de-escalating military tension," it said.

The two sides agreed to uphold and implement the agreements outlined in the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Declaration, which was signed in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, as well as the outcomes of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee's (GBC) Second Special Meeting, which was held in Malaysia on Oct. 23.

According to the joint statement, the two sides began the first phase of partial removal on Oct. 26 by withdrawing two armored vehicles each to their original positions.

On Sunday, the two countries signed a peace agreement in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an unconditional ceasefire on July 28 at a trilateral meeting hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar following weeks of hostilities.

On Aug. 7, both sides agreed to a 13-point agreement, which included allowing ASEAN observers to monitor the ceasefire along the contested border.